New Talent for ‘Monster Trucks,’ ‘Masters of the Universe’

+ Thomas Lennon, best known for his role as Lieutenant Jim Dangle on Comedy Central’s mockumentary Reno 911! (which he co-created with Robert Ben Garant) and MTV’s The State, has joined the cast of Paramount’s upcoming live-action/animation hybrid flick Monster Trucks (May 29, 2015), according to Deadline. Details of the script by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Derek Connolly are still under wraps, but Lennon will have a “significant” role along side confirmed cast members Danny Glover, Jane Levy, Amy Ryan, Lucas Till and Holt McCallany. Chris Wedge (Ice Age) is directing the project for Paramount Animation.

+ Kick-Ass 2 writer/director Jeff Wadlow has been tapped to rewrite Columbia’s big-screen adaptation of Mattel’s hit ’80s toy line Masters of the Universe, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Although a directing title is not currently confirmed, THR sources say the possibility is not off the table. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing the film. Not much is known about the tumultuous in-progress adaptation, which has been in development since 2009, gone through a slew of writers and nixed previously named director Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Step Up 2: The Streets), who is currently onboard another ’80s toon adaptation: the recently announced Jem and the Holograms. Wadlow is also developing X-Force, based on the Marvel comics, for Fox.